Tenganan Ancient Village
Tenganan Ancient Village
3.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Tenganan Ancient Village
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
92 within 5 kms
Attractions
38 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
547 reviews
Excellent
132
Very good
157
Average
126
Poor
68
Terrible
64
Ewan T
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
Short term gain for long term loss. We read some reviews before going so we knew about the sales involved in the tour. We ended up rating this poorly even with this in mind.
We didn't mind the donation entrance fee. The tour was mildly interesting. But then it turned sour. The guide showed us into his house where him and his wife would try to sell her ikat/sarongs. A lot of the wares were made in factories and I doubt the weaving machine on-show was used to make ikat (we've seen working ones in Flores). There were no signs of dyes, or thread here.
He told his wife (in Indonesian) that we understood Indonesian reasonably well (perhaps so they shouldn't discuss fleecing us too openly). Well fleece they did anyway. It was a really deceitful transaction that left us feeling really manipulated.
We went to try and support locals and to learn about the people and culture and left with really bad feelings. We were treated like an ATM where the whole purpose of the tour was to gain false trust in order to manipulate you into handing lots over for something that could be purchased in Kuta for minute fractions of the amount they had the audacity to charge.
Don't go. There are much better experiences to be had elsewhere. This behaviour shouldn't be rewarded.
We didn't mind the donation entrance fee. The tour was mildly interesting. But then it turned sour. The guide showed us into his house where him and his wife would try to sell her ikat/sarongs. A lot of the wares were made in factories and I doubt the weaving machine on-show was used to make ikat (we've seen working ones in Flores). There were no signs of dyes, or thread here.
He told his wife (in Indonesian) that we understood Indonesian reasonably well (perhaps so they shouldn't discuss fleecing us too openly). Well fleece they did anyway. It was a really deceitful transaction that left us feeling really manipulated.
We went to try and support locals and to learn about the people and culture and left with really bad feelings. We were treated like an ATM where the whole purpose of the tour was to gain false trust in order to manipulate you into handing lots over for something that could be purchased in Kuta for minute fractions of the amount they had the audacity to charge.
Don't go. There are much better experiences to be had elsewhere. This behaviour shouldn't be rewarded.
Written 16 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MadeInOz
Cairns Region, Australia372 contributions
Jul 2022
I cant say I know anymore upon leaving than I did on arriving. Our driver took us here telling us it was a traditional village, like a working museum. When we got there we made an expected 'donation' which I'm happy to do.
We were the only ones there so the village guy took us on a walk through the village. A very slow walk with a couple of explanations of a few buildings that all seemed to have the same purpose. We saw a couple of the village children but that was it apart from a few caged roosters (used for cock fighting) and a couple of buffalos. The only building we were taken inside was a batik fabric place but it was literally just a shop, there was no demonstration or anyone doing anything inside the place. Bit of pressure to look/buy but we kept walking because we didnt find any of the pieces appealing.
It could have been great, but its sadly lacking. If this is a working museum/village then there wasnt much working going on. It could be beautiful even in an authentic way but it was quite boring because it was literally walking up one street and then down the other. We didnt visit any homes or learn about any traditional crafts, cooking, music, art or anything else you would expect to at a traditional museum/village.
We were the only ones there so the village guy took us on a walk through the village. A very slow walk with a couple of explanations of a few buildings that all seemed to have the same purpose. We saw a couple of the village children but that was it apart from a few caged roosters (used for cock fighting) and a couple of buffalos. The only building we were taken inside was a batik fabric place but it was literally just a shop, there was no demonstration or anyone doing anything inside the place. Bit of pressure to look/buy but we kept walking because we didnt find any of the pieces appealing.
It could have been great, but its sadly lacking. If this is a working museum/village then there wasnt much working going on. It could be beautiful even in an authentic way but it was quite boring because it was literally walking up one street and then down the other. We didnt visit any homes or learn about any traditional crafts, cooking, music, art or anything else you would expect to at a traditional museum/village.
Written 12 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will
Manchester, UK2 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We had a very underwhelming tour that left a bad taste in the mouth. Early into the tour our guide offered to show us the inside of his house, where his wife was waiting with a collection of Sarongs on display, much of which was mass produced. He proceeded to try and sell to us for a very uncomfortable and awkward 15 - 20mins. After that his attitude towards us totally changed and he lost all interest in being a good guide.
We were then taken into another shop with mass produced goods we'd seen all over Bali, which we were again told were hand crafted in the village. We didn't actually see anyone hand crafting anything on our visit or even the tools to do so. We wrongly assumed that paying the donation would prevent these kind of hard-sell techniques, but no it doesn't. From reading other reviews it seems that some others did get to experience tradional village life and culture, while others had a similar experience to ours, so I guess the experience you get is down to luck and whether you get a guide who is genuinely interested in showing you the culture and traditions of their village or one who is just intent in selling his own goods.
We were then taken into another shop with mass produced goods we'd seen all over Bali, which we were again told were hand crafted in the village. We didn't actually see anyone hand crafting anything on our visit or even the tools to do so. We wrongly assumed that paying the donation would prevent these kind of hard-sell techniques, but no it doesn't. From reading other reviews it seems that some others did get to experience tradional village life and culture, while others had a similar experience to ours, so I guess the experience you get is down to luck and whether you get a guide who is genuinely interested in showing you the culture and traditions of their village or one who is just intent in selling his own goods.
Written 21 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymondale
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia1,116 contributions
Nov 2022
last month i revisited here when i was going to candidasa,i had a tour with a driver. tenganan village is the last stop.i remembered the first time when i visited here,i bought a lontar painting book.on the second time i visited here,i bought a ikat weaving cloth. and i watched its famous pandan war twice.this time, i visited double ikat weaving workshop and ratten basket shop.i didnt buy any double ikat clothes,cuz the price quite expensive.but i bought two small rattern baskets,the seller explained to me why rattan basket is expensive,cuz the quality is very good.i agreed with her.that day,i was the last traveller ,so the village is quiet,i felt comfortable.i will come here again,maybe watching pandan war again, or maybe shopping again,or just wandering around the village.
Written 23 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne A
Blue Mountains, Australia10 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
So glad we did this village tour! What a lovely and educational day we had with great guides ... funny and informative.
It began with a visit to a local school where we met some kids who practiced their English abilities with us. They were gorgeous! There was a welcome from Barong, a parade through the village with the band and the ladies carrying temple offerings.
Finally we made it to a traditional house where we learnt a bit about Balinese culture, tradition and daily life. We got to see food being prepared, daily offerings made and traditional dance and music while we ate the provided lunch. A family temple is onsite as well as a rice padi out the back of the property. You can have a go at rice planting and/or driving the cow pulled plough!
All in all the day was fantastic and worth every rupiah and a great way to support the village and its inhabitants
It began with a visit to a local school where we met some kids who practiced their English abilities with us. They were gorgeous! There was a welcome from Barong, a parade through the village with the band and the ladies carrying temple offerings.
Finally we made it to a traditional house where we learnt a bit about Balinese culture, tradition and daily life. We got to see food being prepared, daily offerings made and traditional dance and music while we ate the provided lunch. A family temple is onsite as well as a rice padi out the back of the property. You can have a go at rice planting and/or driving the cow pulled plough!
All in all the day was fantastic and worth every rupiah and a great way to support the village and its inhabitants
Written 26 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan L
Bunbury, Australia8,543 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This was our third visit to Tenganan Ancient Village and, frankly, disappointing. Arrived early, office open to receive entrance fee/donation, but no village guides. We were accompanied by our driver and strolled through the village viewing the buildings of which only a few were open. The only people who approached us were the fortune tellers who, for a fee, offered to predict our future.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
floriane m
5 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
The village is very nice, with remarkable craftsmen, but the highlight of the visit is the beekeeper (A Trigona Bee Farm) at the far end of the village, who sells mango honey and baskets of his own making. He's incredibly kind and will show you his art while offering you lots of little things to taste. A real moment of sharing, we loved it!
Written 30 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PelleasPhiladelphia
Philadelphia, PA1,118 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
First off, always strange to go to an “unspoiled” place as a tourist. Decided to go as it’s been a tourist attraction already for a long time. It’s a lovely little village but it’s odd that it now is mostly focused on ways to sell things to tourists, some not even sourcing from there (ie Javanese antiques). But the weaving is nice and my child enjoyed the animals walking around. So there you have it…
Written 16 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymondale
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia1,116 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
last year i visited tenganan village in November.this year i revisited Bali in June,and came to this village again.this time i came for pandan perang,or pandan war festival.Pandan war was carried out in order to honor the God of War, namely Indra. actually it is not the first time i watch pandan perang. but still want to see. it was hot that day.and the stage for pandan perang is crowded.my mobile phone felt hot too,the system warned me that i must keep it to a cold place.so i cant use it to take photos.luckily,i have other phone,so i wont miss the exiting scene.but this phone felt hot later,so i used my phone alternately.the padan war normally started at 14,00 ,and ended around 15,00, normally the festival is held in june.
Written 30 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cjmc1
Perth, Australia37 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Don't go if you can help it. We thought paying a nice donation would avoid the "hard sell tactics" but we basically got taken to what seemed like a personal home to buy things. When we said we were here for a tour of the village and not to purchase anything it seemed the tour ended right there. So we stood awkwardly in the little street for a few minutes then just went back to the car and left.... it was a weird experience considering they are probably looking for touristic recommendations.
Written 3 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I suggest Annie F you do some research before you make your trip and comments. There is no hassling to sell as in some passars. Stupid reactions like this deter people from visiting. We are talking about a very insular community that has evolved through centuries.
Your review is bulldog. Get your facts right before posting again.
Written 12 August 2018
Hi davidG5550CR - presuming you are not trolling, I would ask you to please review the guidelines about posting on TripAdvisor. Reviews are the opinions and experiences of each individual traveller and my review was my experience and I feel was more respectful than your response.
Written 15 August 2018
What time is best to arrive n the day of Perang Pandan? are we able to just pay an entrance fee without hiring a guide on this day, o does the guide included in the entrance fee during Perang Pandan? Thanks :)
Written 2 May 2018
Usually it starts at 13.00-14.00, so better arrive around 11.00 am or 11.30am.you can walk around the village,and no guide there,just pay the entrance fee(donation),better wear appropriate clothes,cuz it is a religious ceremony.
Written 3 May 2018
We arrived at 11am. But I think they will be willing to open the door anytime for you to throw $1million rupiah at a piece of 3rd rate sarong. Becareful, this is a tourist trap.
Written 4 January 2019
All depends where you are staying! Nowhere is that far...but how long do you want to spend in a car?
Taxis are very cheap and plentiful. A good driver will sort out an interesting itinerary for you so you get to see so much more.
Written 1 August 2016
Is there shuttle service from airport to your hotel? What is the cost?
For private car tours , is there car & guide? What is cost for a full day?
Thanks
CCH
Written 22 January 2015
The answer to both questions is yes. The cost of such things on Bali is quite reasonable, but it is best to email the hotel directly for prices.
Best
Written 23 January 2015
Showing results 1-5 of 5
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing